Description

Pictus Catfish Pimelodus pictus

Profile & Care Sheet

Overview

The Pictus Catfish is a striking and active species of catfish native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America. They are instantly recognisable by their slender, silvery body covered in bold black spots and their incredibly long, sensitive white barbels (whiskers), which they use to navigate and seek food in murky waters. They are highly active, schooling fish that are suitable for large community aquariums.

Water Parameters

Pictus Catfish are somewhat hardy but are sensitive to poor water quality and need highly oxygenated water. Their best health and activity levels are maintained with stringent filtration and maintenance.

Aquarium Setup

• Tank Size: Due to their active nature and need to shoal, a minimum tank size of 200 litres (approx. 44 UK gallons) is required for a small group of 5 or more fish. The tank should be long to accommodate their fast, darting movements.
• Substrate: Fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel is suitable. This protects their sensitive barbels.
• Decoration: Provide numerous driftwood branches, rocky caves, and PVC tubes to offer plenty of hiding places for them to retreat during the day or when resting.
• Open Space: Leave plenty of open swimming space in the middle and upper areas of the tank, as they are often mid-level swimmers despite being catfish.
• Lighting: Moderate or dim lighting is often preferred.
• Water Movement: A moderate to strong flow is beneficial, which encourages activity and high oxygen levels.

Feeding

The Pictus Catfish is an opportunistic omnivore/carnivore. Since they are nocturnal feeders, feeding them shortly after the lights go out is often best.

• Primary Diet: High-quality sinking pellets or tablets.
• Supplements: Their diet must be varied and include regular meaty supplements, such as Frozen Bloodworms, Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp, Krill, and Earthworm chunks.
• Frequency: Feed once daily, ensuring food reaches the bottom quickly. Do not overfeed.

Behaviour & Tank Mates

• Social Needs: Pictus Catfish are highly social and must be kept in a shoal of at least 5 individuals (the more, the better). When kept alone, they become stressed, shy, and inactive.
• Temperament: They are generally peaceful but are opportunistic predators. Anything small enough to fit in their mouth will be eaten—this includes very small Tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras) and shrimp.
• Suitable Tank Mates: Good companions include peaceful, mid-to-upper-level swimming fish that are too large to be eaten: larger, active Tetras (e.g., Congo or Silver Tips), Rainbowfish, peaceful medium-sized Cichlids (e.g., Angelfish, Electric Blue Acaras), and other large Catfish (e.g., Plecostomus).
• Avoid: Slow-moving fish, extremely aggressive bottom-dwellers, and any fish small enough to be viewed as food.

Breeding

Breeding Pimelodus pictus in the home aquarium is extremely rare, with very few documented successes. They are egg-scatterers in the wild, often migrating to spawn during seasonal rains. Their specific breeding requirements, likely involving large space and complex water chemistry changes, are generally not replicated in hobbyist tanks.

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